We
had our inaugural year in 2009, and it was a great
success. Organizers felt that with an area so rich in bird species
and natural
beauty, birders would welcome the chance to attend a
Birding
Festival
here...and after 8 years we are going strong.

The 2017 Festival was great! The weather co-operated and although
we had a bit of rain at breakfast on Sunday, it turned out to be a
great day. Highlight of the weekend was a Scarlett Tanager
(thanks Jim!) on Saturday at Hurkett Cove Conservation Area.

***A
reminder to everyone, that although we love our pets, we would ask that
you do not bring your four-footed friends to the Festival. Thanks
very much for observing this request.

Those who are "up with the birds" , have a
chance to say good morning to them! We
are
offering
these
early
birds a hike at Hurkett Cove Conservation Area at 6 a.m. on
Saturday,
prior to the official opening
of the Festival.
Guides will be at the parking area to
lead the hike.
Those who attend are responsible for their own
transportation, and are to return to the Dorion Community
Centre by 8 a.m. for Registration and a delicious breakfast.
There, they will join the rest of the birders for
an official
introduction and start to the day.

THIS 'N THAT

OUR WONDERFUL 2017 GUIDES
Again these experts did an excellent job and we thank them sincerely!

BRIAN
RATCLIFF

Brian is a biological consultant in Thunder Bay. He has conducted research on species at risk such as
the piping plover, burrowing owl and American white pelican. He
is coordinator of Project Peregrine and since 1996 has monitored
peregrines nesting in the Lake Superior Basin. He has been on the committee for Thunder Cape
Bird Observatory since 1996 and currently the Bird Records Chairman for Thunder Bay District.

GEORGE HOLBO

ROB SWAINSONROB SWAINSONCHRISTINE DRAKE

Christine works at Pukaskwa National Park as a Park Ecologist
with Parks Canada. She has been birding for both work and pleasure for
20 years. Christine has enjoyed sharing tips and tricks of bird
identification by both sight and sound at the Dorion Bird Festival since
2014.

GEORGE HOLBORN
George has works as a Wildlife Assessment Biologist with the MNR in Thunder Bay. He is a recognized
song bird expert with the Research Centre and involved with the Thunder
Cape Bird Observatory.

BILL GREAVES

Bill has a MSc from Laurentian University and works as an Ecologist for
the MNRF. His birding passion started when he moved to the Northwest
Region in 2009. You likely have already bumped into him at a local bird
hotspot trying to add to his Annual District Checklist.

.

DR. NICK
ESCOTT Nick is one
of the leading birders in northwestern Ontario.
In addition to
excellent field identification skills,
Nick is founding chair of the Thunder Cape Bird
Observatory and has served as Chairman since its inception. He has
published several articles on northern Ontario birds for Ontario
Birds and Birders Journal.

. BRIAN
MOORE
A member of Thunder Cape Bird Observatory Committee,
Brian is an expert birder in the
Thunder Bay district and a great asset to the
Festival.

KYLE MYSCHOWODAKyle has an HBScF from Lakehead University and works as a Registered
Professional Forester with the MNRF. Since his early days, bug bitten
along the banks of the Soper fellow birdersCreek, Kyle has been captivated by “little
brown birds”, and
has worked to share his passion and enthusiasm with family, friends
and fellow birders.

Nancy enjoyed sharing her knowledge
of and passion for birds with Ontario Park visitors at Sleeping Giant, Neys,
and Quetico Provincial Parks and actively engaged in bird monitoring programmes
throughout her extended Ontario Parks career. Nancy has since left Ontario Parks but continues
to be involved in bird monitoring both as a volunteer and as a consultant. Nancy
is best known for her ability to identify songbirds by ear.

ADDITIONAL GUIDES(sorry, still updating our photo
gallery)

JENNIFER CHIKOSKI
DUNCAN MCKAYCHRIS ROBINSON

DR. NICK ESCD

ROB SWAINSON

Rob has been an integral part of our Festival since the beginning.He
was a biologist with the
Ministry of Natural Resources in Nipigon and is more than familiar
with our area birds. A very valuable guide and our humourous
emcee
at
the Festival!

JEFF ROBINSONJEFF ROBINSONJeff
has a Master of Science Degree in amphibian ecology. His job with
the MNR allows him to spend a great deal of desired time in the forest.
His passion for the outdoors is a valuable asset to the Festival.

KKKFF

SAMANTHA KRAUSE

A naturalist from birth, Samantha
graduated with her BSc in Biology from UNBC in 2012 and has been an avid
bird enthusiast ever since. Samantha's acute hearing and spunky
enthusiasm made her a welcome addition to the Dorion Bird Festival team
in 2016.

NANCY PARISH Nancy enjoyed sharing her knowledge
of and passion for birds with Ontario Park visitors at Sleeping Giant, Neys,
and Quetico Provincial Parks and actively engaged in bird monitoring programmes
throughout her extended Ontario Parks career. Nancy has since left Ontario Parks but continues
to be involved in bird monitoring both as a volunteer and as a consultant. Nancy
is best known for her ability to identify songbirds by ear.

Nancy enjoyed sharing her
knowledge of and passion for birds with OntarioPark visitors at Sleeping Giant, Neys,
and QueticoProvincialParks
and actively engaged in bird monitoring programmes throughout her extended
Ontario Parks career. She continues to be involved in bird monitoring
and is best known for her ability to
identify songbirds by ear.